The Holidays Sailing Regatta 26 August 2018

Report

The day began with strong winds and rain but by the time the first warning signal went off at 15:45, the worst of the weather had blown through, the sunshine began to show its face (sort of) and the competitors enjoyed some great racing in the shelter of the Percuil River.

As usual, the start line was laid just off the Percuil Boat Yard affording the spectators at the yard a good view of the fleet as they headed up the river and into harbour before returning to the start line to complete the first of two laps. The course (set by experienced local Race Officer Paul Grayston) made the best use of the Percuil River and its unique geography for which the Regatta is so well known. Good local knowledge of the river is always an advantage as demonstrated by local sailors Bob Warren and Bec McCowan who were first across the finishing line in their RS400 and also first their fast handicap dinghy class.

The Laser Pico class continued to be a well-represented class for the Regatta with Rohan in first place, Katie Hames in second place and Mathew Shaw in third place. Special mention must also go to Martin Egan and his young helm who came first in their Mirror in the Slow Handicap class having first sailed from Restronguet SC across a very lumpy and windy !

We sorely missed the wise words of experienced race commentator Charles Warren from the yard this year but Ian Frampton very ably led a new commentary team which incorporated some live video streaming of the sailing boats from a support boat to allow the spectators in the yard to follow the boats as they sailed out of the mouth of the river and into the harbour. With thanks to Emily Adlington and Stuart Kerrigan for making this possible, we look forward to developing this service further next year.

With huge thanks to Jo Hawkins and her catering team, the hungry sailors, volunteers and spectators were very well fed and watered all day with a fine selection of burgers, sandwiches, pasties and cakes galore in the boat yard.

Most importantly, the 2018 Regatta raised a fantastic amount (currently estimated at over £1,000) for its chosen charities, the Roseland Youth Sailing Trust and the RNLI. We are very grateful to everyone who made the day possible with particular thanks to Portscatho Holidays for sponsoring the race prizes and all those that donated prizes for the raffle including Fat Face, The Driftwood Hotel, Bob Warren Roseland Paddle & Sail, Fal River, The Hidden Hut, The Royal Standard at , The Plume of Feathers at Portscatho, Tregairewoon Farm café, The Kings Arms at Tregony and Da Bara café and bakery.

On behalf of the Roseland Youth Sailing Trust, Nicky Armstrong said ‘Thank you very much to everyone who contributed so generously towards the Regatta, whether financially or through giving up time and resources to make the event possible. The donation to the RYST will be used to enable us to get more local primary school aged children on the water during term time’.